Binning options of 2x2, 3x3, and super-sensitive 4x4 provide sharply detailed astrophotos, the impressive Parsec 10100C can even bin 2x2 in full color!

Includes a free 60-day full version trial of popular MaxIm DL Pro imaging software. ASCOM drivers are also available for use with a number of other popular image processing programs, such as Nebulosity, ImagesPlus, and more!

Turn up the “awesome” factor of your astrophotos with Orion’s highest resolution CCD camera! The new Orion Parsec 10100C Color Astronomical Imaging Camera features an enormous 10.7 megapixel CCD sensor for capturing impressive images of celestial delicacies. This capable camera can even bin 2x2 shots in full color! Wow!

The Parsec 10100C is Orion’s highest resolution CCD imaging camera, built around the robust Kodak interline 10.7 megapixel KAI-10100 CCD sensor chip which has an impressive 3760 x 2840 pixel array. Our newest addition to the popular Parsec line of Orion astrophotography cameras has been engineered to produce low-noise and consistent bias levels for smooth, sharp images. With three binning options (2x2, 3x3, and super sensitive 4x4), the speedy Parsec 10100C is capable of downloading a full frame image in approximately 10 seconds in 1x1 mode, and much faster at 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4 settings. The highly versatile Parsec 10100C Astronomical Imaging Camera can produce stunning astrophotos with long focal length telescopes in 2x2 mode, or in 1x1 mode with shorter focal length instruments, all in full-color!

This amazing astrophotography camera is filled to the brim with performance-enhancing features sure to please experienced celestial shutterbugs and novice astro-imagers alike, yet it’s priced to please even the most astute of value hunters. In fact, the Orion Parsec 10100C is one of the most affordable 10.7 megapixel CCD cameras available to amateur astronomers!

Precisely regulated dual-stage thermoelectric cooling (TEC) keeps the Orion Parsec 10100C nice and cool for pleasing, low-noise image acquisition. In fact, the on-board dual-Peltier TEC system can cool the camera to a chilly 40°C below ambient temperature so your image data is as pure as possible. What’s more, an adjustable-speed fan in the camera can be controlled to assist the TEC in especially warm conditions.

Accurate dark frames are easy to acquire with the Parsec 10100C. Thanks to an internal vane shutter controlled by an efficient stepper motor there’s no need to cover the telescope when taking dark frames. This nifty internal shutter lets you capture dark frames at different times, and at different ambient temperatures, which can be a huge time-saver when dark sky conditions are fleeting. With its vast exposure range, you can use the Parsec 10100C to snap a quick shot of a bright planetary nebula, or go deep for a long exposure of your favorite galaxy; the Parsec 10100C can handle it all efficiently and with great results. An internal full frame memory buffer promises reliable image downloads every time.

The Parsec 10100C sports a removable 2” nosepiece for convenient coupling to 2” telescope focusers and 2” astrophotography accessories. The 2” nosepiece is threaded internally so you can easily enhance images with 2” Orion imaging filters. Alternatively, the 2” nosepiece can be removed to provide no-nonsense attachment via standard T-threads.

The Parsec 10100C Astronomical Imaging Camera connects to your computer via a USB 2.0 connection, and a 10’ USB cable is included. A 10’ power cable is also included which is compatible with 12V auto-lighter sockets and portable 12V power stations such as an Orion Dynamo Pro (sold separately). Everything packs up nicely in the included hard carrying case with a custom die-cut foam interior for safe transport and storage of the Parsec 10100C.

The Orion Parsec 10100C Astronomical Imaging Camera comes with a free 60-day full version trial of popular MaxIm DL Pro camera control and image processing software. As an added bonus, Orion Parsec 10100C owners can take $100 off MaxIm DL software as an exclusive offer! ASCOM drivers are also available for the Parsec 10100C for use with a number of other popular image processing programs, such as Nebulosity, ImagesPlus, and more.

Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. For complete warranty details contact us at 800-676-1343.

Warning

Please note this product was not designed or intended by the manufacturer for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.

Imaging chip

Short for "charge-coupled device," a CCD chip is a light-sensitive electronic detector used in making astronomical images. Sensitive over a wide range of wavelengths, and much more efficient than film in gathering light, CCDs are often used to image extremely faint objects.

A/D conversion

The Analog to Digital Converter (A/D Converter) transfers the raw analog signal captured by the camera to a digital value. The digital value is sent to the computer in ADUs (Analog to Digital Units). The A/D Converter also determines the bit resolution of the analog to digital conversion. The more bit resolution the A/D Converter has, the greater the range of ADUs, which yields a better range of image contrast from the camera. (If "X" equals the bit resolution of the A/D Converter, then 2expX = total range of ADUs.) For example, many commercial digital cameras use a 12-bit A/D Converter which has 4,096 ADUs, and high-end astronomical CCD cameras typically use a 16-bit A/D Converter which has 65,536 ADUs.

Thermoelectric cooling

A thermoelectric cooler draws heat away from the chip, which lowers the overall electronic "noise" in the resulting image. For every 6º drop in temperature, the dark noise in the image is reduced by half.

IR filter

CCD cameras are very sensitive to a wide range of wavelengths, including farther out into the infra-red spectrum than we can see by eye. Normally this is never a problem when looking through the telescope, but a sensitive CCD camera will see this slightly out of focus region of the spectrum, resulting in fatter stars than normal. An IR filter will cut out this region of the spectrum leaving tightly focused stars and a better overall image.

Full well capacity

The CCD full well capacity is the amount of signal electrons that can be properly collected and transferred by each pixel of the CCD. The higher the full well capacity, the more light the CCD pixels can collect without over saturating the signal.

Read noise (RMS)

Read noise exists in all CCD chips. It affects the image's signal to noise ratio, but as long as the noise exhibits a normal distribution, the resultant image will not be greatly affected by noise after processing.

Binning

Binning 1x1 simply means each pixel counts as one pixel. Binning 2x2 or more is a method of increasing the sensitivity of a CCD camera at the expense of resolution. Adjacent pixels are summed together into ?super-pixels? which have better signal-to-noise ratio. So for example, binning 2x2 would cause 4 pixels to act as one larger pixel, providing a quarter of the resolution, but approximately four times the sensitivity.

Warranty

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.

Orders received by 1pm Eastern Time for in-stock items ship the same business day. Orders received after 1pm will ship the next business day. When an item is not in-stock we will ship it as soon as it becomes available. Typically in-stock items will ship first and backordered items will follow as soon as they are available. You have the option in check out to request that your order ship complete, if you'd prefer.

At Orion, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and passion for astronomy and astrophotography with the amateur astronomy community. Visit the Orion Community Center for in-depth information on telescopes, binoculars, and astrophotography. You can find astrophotography "how to" tips and share your best astronomy pictures here. Submit astronomy articles, events, and reviews, and even become a featured Orion customer!